Archaeological investigations conducted in the caves of Ali Khorandeh and Gavkhor in Tafresh city have revealed human artifacts dating back more than 50,000 years.
As reported by Mehr, Tafresh city is home to two caves, Ali Khorandeh and Gavkhor, situated three kilometers southwest of Tafresh and near Kohin village. These caves are located in the heights of Noghreh Kamar mountain, also known as Khasheh.
Ali Khorandeh cave has a spacious hall with a height of 10 meters and includes a pond. Notable attractions within this cave include a deep well named Hamamak, plunging five meters in depth, and another cavity known as Masjedak.
However, the current activities of a mine located just ten meters from these historical caves have caused concern among the local community. Their concern is that the mining operation might block the springs which are crucial for irrigating their lands.
Being aware of the natural and historical significance of the region, the people have actively been supporting urgent measures. Over the past year and a half, there has been a collective request for the emergency registration of these caves and the presence of archaeologists in the area.
Responding to the community’s concerns, the Cultural Heritage Research Center took action for national registration. They issued a prospecting permit, assigning Ali Hojbari to supervise the process. Under his supervision, eight boreholes were drilled in the area to determine the boundaries of the Ali Khorandeh and Gavkhor caves.
To conduct thorough investigations, Ali Hojabari enlisted the expertise of a diverse group of interdisciplinary experts, including archaeologists, anthropologists, geologists, botanists, entomologists, archaeozoologists, speleologists, and documentologists. This multidisciplinary team worked together for 40 days, dedicating their efforts to further explore and understand the historical significance of the area.
In the initial stages of their work, Hojabari made significant discoveries. These include a Greek inscription, a Parthian cemetery and evidence of a settlement area. In addition to the already known Ali Khorandeh and Gavkhor caves, Hojabari identified five additional caves in the region.
The exploration of the “Ali Khorandeh” cave, with the assistance of cave explorers, revealed surprising insights. Contrary to initial assumptions, the cave is not a single floor but actually comprises three floors. The findings within these floors include evidence of human habitation, animal remains, pottery and small pieces of leather.
The entomologist within the interdisciplinary team made a groundbreaking discovery by identifying a previously unknown insect species. This unique insect is poised to be officially registered under the name “Tafresh,” signifying its distinctiveness as a species never before found anywhere in the world.
Additionally, the paleozoologist’s estimations suggest that the animal remains unearthed from the cave date back to an astonishing 30-50 thousand years ago. Further investigations led by Dr. Fereydoun Biglari revealed Middle Paleolithic remains dating from an even broader span of 30-300 thousand years ago.
Considering the significant findings from the Paleolithic period, Hojabari emphasizes the necessity of reassessing the investigation and identification of the city of Tafresh.
During the archaeological investigations led by the Hojabri team, covering an expansive area of one kilometer by one kilometer around the registered caves, remarkable discoveries emerged. Among the findings were an ancient site dating back to the Ilkhanate, Timurid, and Safavid periods. The team also uncovered a cemetery from the Parthian period, known as Haft Ghar, and a Greek inscription.
The inscription, carefully examined in Athens, revealed intriguing details about the site. It clarified the presence of nine temples in the area, shedding light on the religious and cultural significance of the region during the period in which these structures were erected.
The current investigation aims to determine whether the seven caves in question served as temples, with a stronger likelihood attributed to two or three of them. Alongside these caves, there is the Takhte Hassan Askari platform, a revered shrine, where the locals gathered for prayers, till some years back. Under the supervision of Dr Biglari, archeologists uncovered prehistoric human remains dating back 40-50 thousand years within the cave complex, intensifying the significance of the “Khashe” mountain and its surroundings in the southern expanse of Tafresh city. This ongoing exploration promises to shed light on the intricate cultural, religious, and historical tapestry woven into the landscape.
Tafresh archeologist, Saeed Heydari, said: Following the team’s presence, significant archeological discovery has been made in Ali Khorandeh cave. Unearthed artifacts consist of pottery from the copper and stone periods, remnants from the Parthian and Seljuk eras, a Greek inscription, an Ilkhani coin, and the identification of two hidden caves. Heydari emphasizes the cave’s unique importance and its connection to Mithraism. To safeguard this cultural heritage, the team promptly established the area and privacy of the caves, securing a permit in a few months for delineating boundaries. This expedited process highlights the site’s exceptional significance and the dedication to preserving and comprehending its historical richness.
